However, more than three decades on, villagers believe there is now a real danger that the little club, that celebrated its centenary eight years ago, could fold.

Freuchie currently fields a first XI and a second XI, but a lack of available players has sometimes seen the club struggle to put out its second team and has left some fearing the beginning of the end for the evocative sound of leather on willow echoing on a summer’s day round the village, near Falkirk, in Fife.

Current club captain Jock Wallace said: “That’s our biggest fear, that the club shuts.

“We’re one of the most famous clubs around and if it had to close it would leave a massive empty void in the community.

“We’ve got a few youngsters coming through and the oldest guy we’ve got playing is in his 60s but he can’t commit to it as much as he’d like. It’s a shame because it’s a great club.”

Back in 1985, there was a mass exodus from Freuchie when the club travelled down to Lord’s to take on Rowledge from Surrey, and few gave them a chance of claiming the National Village Cup but that’s exactly what they did, making them the first Scottish club to win the trophy.

The Surrey side had been all out for 134, and Freuchie started their reply nervously.

With 15 overs of the match remaining and six wickets down, the Scots looked in trouble. But a remarkable rally saw Freuchie eventually emerge victorious.